Event Details

Join us for a discussion with four distinguished, senior level consultants who will share their insights and experience, along with perspectives and advice on various aspects of the world of consulting. Whether you hire and work with external consultants within your organization, or are considering venturing into the foray of consulting yourself, this panel discussion is sure to be enlightening and informative.

Lee Funke, Torque Communications

With over 25 years’ experience, Lee ensures his clients achieve their public policy goals through effective government relations and communications strategies.

Lee has resumed consulting after working two years as an advocate for Alberta’s oil sands industry, including a year as the Interim Executive Director of the Oil Sands Community Alliance and Manager of Oil Sands Communications for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Lee also spent three years as a member of the Alberta Government’s Executive Council, serving as the Managing Director of the Public Affairs Bureau. He was the lead communications professional within the government and provided strategic counsel to Premiers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers on public policy issues.

Before joining the government, Lee was an independent consultant for more than 10 years, and spent another three years with Weber Shandwick as their Alberta Public Affairs Account Director. Over the course of his career, Lee has worked extensively with the oil and gas industry, land developers, municipal governments and public utilities on a wide range of regulatory and public policy issues.

Godfrey Huybregts, Marcomm Works

Godfrey Huybregts is owner and senior consultant with Marcomm Works, a communications and marketing consulting firm established in Edmonton in 1996. Godfrey’s 30-year career as a professional communicator includes many senior management positions in the education, health and social service sectors. As a private consultant, Godfrey has led or managed dozens of projects for provincial and municipal governments, private companies and non-profit organizations. He has extensive experience in communications planning, public and stakeholder consultation, government and media relations, issues management, project management and online communications.

Educated at the University of Calgary and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Godfrey is also one of only 900 Accredited Business Communicators (ABC) worldwide. Godfrey is a former journalist who has won a number of local, national and international awards for writing, communications program design and marketing.

Mike Lupien, Unrestricted Public Relations

Mike Lupien, APR, is a public relations contractor/consultant with more than 20 years of experience in senior communications roles in government, oil and gas, not-for-profit, food retail and the service industry. In 2013, he set up his own practice as the principal owner of Unrestricted Public Relations, providing communications expertise and contracting services to several clients and organizations positioned for growth.

Celia Sollows, The Little Public Relations Company

Celia Sollows, APR, has worked in public relations for more than 20 years and began consulting in 1999. Today, Celia works as a ‘lone eagle’ with no staff but a with a network of supportive service providers that have enabled her to address the needs of diverse client groups. She has worked with corporations and government in Alberta, and with Aboriginal organizations in B.C. and the Yukon. Celia also serves as the presiding officer for the CPRS Accreditation Council.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this event will close Monday, March 14th at 5:00 pm in order to properly accommodate catering. Sorry - no exceptions! Also note that Early Bird registration closes at noon on Friday, March 11th. Get your tickets today!

Please email via Eventbirte asap to let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.